{"id":5285,"date":"2013-06-21T04:27:56","date_gmt":"2013-06-21T04:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disnaija.com\/nigerian-newspapers\/ogunkoya-difficult-to-compete-for-nigeria\/"},"modified":"2013-06-21T04:27:56","modified_gmt":"2013-06-21T04:27:56","slug":"ogunkoya-difficult-to-compete-for-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disnaija.com\/ogunkoya-difficult-to-compete-for-nigeria\/","title":{"rendered":"Ogunkoya: difficult to compete for Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Atlanta \u201996 silver medallist Falilat Ogunkoya yesterday in Calabar, at the All Nigeria\/Cross River State Athletics Championship declared that competing for Nigeria is the toughest job in the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo compete for Nigeria is toughest in the world,\u201d she began. \u201cBut we don\u2019t want to leave because it is our country. Some people left but we stayed. We must appreciate our own. Individual sport is more difficult than a team sport. Nigeria is tough because you have to do all things on your own. And after your career that is the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ogunkoya, who ran the fastest time in the world in the 400 meters in 1999, was however positive about Team Nigeria\u2019s chances at the IAAF World Athletics Championship coming up in Moscow in August. She said: \u201cI believe we can win something in Moscow. Moscow is always by standard. If you are going for world championships, you have to have a standard.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few of them have tried in meeting the standard of the IAAF. A few of them have made the standard already. We have qualified in the relays already; 4×4 men, 4×1 women and men. So I believe that the other top athletes will be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ogunkoya is the first and only Nigerian to win double medals in one Olympics, and she had words of support for Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Blessing Okagbare in her quest to fulfill her potential as one of Nigeria\u2019s shinning lights in athletics. Okagbare is in the eye of the storm over her comments criticizing the Federation\u2019s preparation of its athletes for the Moscow Championship. \u201cI don\u2019t want to put any pressure on Blessing, she has really worked hard,\u201d Ogunkoya said. \u201cI will just plead that they should allow her take her event one day at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAthletics is an individual event. I think if the Athletic Federation of Nigeria\u2026Solomon Ogba is the president, as the leader if he asks, I think he has her interest at heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Nigeria, it is when you do well that they acknowledge you. So, they just need to pat her on the back, it is very important in athletics. The government and NSC (National Sports Commission) should help Blessing Okagbare. And for you to see the minister here you would see that he really cares. It is not only for football but for other sports. He was in Warri for the Africa Youth Championship. His presence shows that the government cares.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 1999, I ran 49.6 seconds; I would have won all the cash prizes being offered now. You have to set the standard high so that the athletes will perform. Don\u2019t give me grants after championship, that is \u2018chopping\u2019 money. If you don\u2019t have solid training, there is nothing for you,\u201d Ogunkoya warned.<\/p>\n

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Posted in Nigerian Newspapers. <\/a>A DisNaija.Com<\/a> network.<\/p>\n

Source: The Nation Newspaper<\/p>\n

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